Page 102 of Stroke of Fate

“This,” he says, handing it to me, “is for you.”

I carefully place the tray on my lap before removing the dish towel. The black takeout box's koi fish logo immediately catches my eye.

My wide eyes find his. “Sushi?”

Not only did he get my favorite food, but he also ordered it from one of my favorite restaurants.

The girls and I discovered it on a girls’ night out a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t stop talking about how good everything was.

“From that place you mentioned,” he says. “Had it delivered just before you came over, so it should still be fresh.”

Warmth blooms in my chest at the way he remembers every little detail.

“But you hate sushi?” It’s true, and my heart might have taken a bit of a hit when he told me he doesn’t eat raw fish, so sushi dates weren’t in our future.

“Yes, but you love it.” His smile is soft. “Making you happy makes me happy.

My heart doubles in size, and I don’t know how it’s possible, but I fall even harder for him. If he didn’t own my heart before, I’d gladly give it to him now. Right here, under the fairy lights of our little domain.

“Levi…” The three little words bubble up my throat, but I swallow them, fear gnawing at my insides. Instead, I say, “I’m wondering what you’ll eat?”

“Got that delivered, too.” He laughs not picking up on my hesitation.

Half his body disappears from the fort, and when he reemerges, he’s holding a pizza box. He also hands me a pair of chopsticks and a little bowl with a soy sauce packet.

“Wow, you thought of everything,” I say, pouring the dark liquid into the bowl.

Levi winks. “Gotta take care of my girl.”

“Didn’t peg you for such a softy,” I tease, dipping my first piece of sushi into the soy sauce. “I wonder what the trio would say if they knew.”

"Trust me, my friends already know I worship the ground you walk on," he says, keeping his voice low as our eyes connect in the dim light. "And you know what?"

"What?" I whisper, my pulse picking up speed.

"I don’t care if everyone else knows it, too."

“Oh my gosh, Ms. May’s right! Youarea smooth talker!” My laughter shatters the moment, but secretly, I’m swooning at his words, tucking them away in the corner of my heart where only he belongs.

Levi chuckles, taking a bite of his pizza. “Pick a movie, birthday girl.”

It doesn’t take me long to find something for us to watch on the laptop he has set up.

Levi’s eyes hold a glint of amusement when he sees what’s on the screen. “White Chicks?”

I’ve seen this movie so many times I could probably recite every line, but it never gets old.

“A classic.” I press play, and we sit shoulder to shoulder, enjoying our food.

When the closing credits roll onto the screen, Levi tells me he has another surprise for me. We’ve long since finished our dinner, and the takeout boxes lay discarded around us.

I’m content to stay wrapped up in his arms, but curiosity has me untangling from his embrace. Leaving the comfort of the fort behind, I follow Levi to the kitchen.

He tosses the trash away and nods toward a stool. “Have a seat.”

I slide onto one of the bar stools, but when he instructs me to close my eyes, I narrow them instead.

“What have you got planned?”

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